from getting any supplies (if fresh provisions, or keeping up any intercourse or correspondence with the disaffected inhabitants. I shall be much obliged for timely information of every manoeuvre of the ships and tenders up the river, and hope that every necessary step will be taken to prevent any of our vessels falling into their hands.

I am, gentlemen, with esteem, your most humble servant,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Committee of Orange County, New-York.

COLONEL HAY TO GENERAL GEORGE CLINTON.

Sunday Evening, July 14, 1776.

DEAR SIR: On Friday afternoon three ships of war and four cutters of the Ministerial fleet passed the city of New-York; one forty and one twenty-gun ship, with the four cutters, anchored in the bay, opposite Nyack. On Friday night I called out my regiment, in order to prevent the enemy from landing and committing depredations on the west shore, which we have hitherto done. At twelve o'clock yesterday a barge and cutter attempted to land; the latter grounded at some distance from the shore, and the barge, being fired upon by our guard, returned to the ships. In the night another barge came so near the shore that she was spoken to by the guard; and we are in hourly expectation of another attempt. My regiment, which consists of but four hundred men, has now been upon duty, night and day, since Friday evening, and are greatly fatigued with the service. The men express great uneasiness, under apprehension that they shall lose their harvest, as the grain is now fit to gather, and no persons to take it in, if they are obliged to guard the shore. In this situation, I thought it my duty to apply to you for support. As we have considerable extent of shore to guard, it is necessary to employ the whole regiment on constant duty; which, if continued, will be ruinous to the country, unless supported by a detachment of one hundred and fifty or two hundred men from your brigade; for this purpose I have despatched the bearer express.' Your known attachment to the cause, and the zeal your people have shown, leaves us every reason to hope for an immediate support. The Militia of Bergen are drawn off towards Staten-Island; and the city of New-York is in hourly expectation of being attacked; so that we can expect no assistance from that quarter. If two or three armed boats could be sent down with the detachment, it would be most convenient for the transportation of the men and their provision, and will be an essential service in keeping off the barges, and following them from place to place. Despatch the bearer as soon as possible. As I have been up two days and nights and am much fatigued, I hope you will excuse the inaccuracy of this scrawl.

I am, dear sir, yours, in haste,

A. HAWKES HAY.

P. S. Should be happy to have your advice and assistance in this matter.

EGBERT BENSON TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Red-Hook, Dutchess County, July 14, 1776.

SIR: This acknowledges the receipt of your Excellency's letter of yesterday, which I immediately transmitted to General Ten Broeck, and; hall without delay transmit the necessary expresses to Connecticut.

As the matter may be exaggerated, I take the liberty of informing your Excellency that the late insurrection of the Tories in this County was rather an inconsiderable affair— no person of the least repute or importance concerned, and is entirely suppressed.

I am your Excellency's most obedient servant,

EGBERT BENSON,

To General Washington.

COLONEL JAMES CLINTON TO THE COMMITTEE OF DUTCHESS COUNTY, NEW-YORK.

Fort Constitution, July 14, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received yours of this day, and approve much of your plan for making fire-rafts, and doubt not but that you will carry the same into execution with the utmost expedition. I think it advisable to purchase two other old sloops (or more if necessary) for the purpose; but let it be done at the cheapest rate—the oldest and worst sloops will do. Let men value them; but they must be had at any rate. When your rafts are completed, they must be sent here without delay—the sooner the better. I could wish, if the General's letter (a copy of which you have) will warrant it, a galley or two, to carry a nine-pounder in their bows, as they might answer a valuable purpose; but this I must submit to you. I want a whale-boat exceedingly, to reconnoitre the enemy; if one can be had, or built, and sent here, without retarding the other business, it would be of great service.

I am, gentlemen, with much respect, your most obedient servant,

JAMES CLINTON, Colonel.

COMMITTEE OF POUGHKEEPSIE TO COLONEL JAMES CLINTON.

Poughkeepsie, July 14, 1776.

SIR: We have sent off to Esopus for the Tory sloop there, and the ship-carpenters are busied in making fire-rafts. We would ask your opinion if it would not be best to purchase two other old sloops, which lash together with chains, two fire-rafts between each two sloops, and, if a northerly wind, sail them directly down on the enemy. When the rafts are completed, and if the ships have not passed your forts, we would ask you if we must not send down the sloops and rafts near the forts.

I am, sir, your most obedient and humble servant,

JOHN BAILEY, Chairman.

To Colonel James Clinton.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Albany, July 14, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I had the honour to write his Excellency General Washington on the 12th, by express, which I then communicated; I hope you will have received it before this comes to hand. Captain Marquisie has begged me for a letter to you, and to mention that he has lost all his baggage in the retreat from Canada: he is the bearer of this.

I wish you much health and happiness. I am, dear sir, with perfect esteem, your most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.

P. S. Mr. Marquisie has received from me eighty dollars on account.

GENERAL SCHUYLER TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, July 14, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Soon after Bennet had left me, I received a line from General Gates, covering a paper, copy of which I have the honour to enclose.

Yesterday a discovery was made of some desperate designs of the Tories in this quarter. I am bound by oath not to divulge names or particulars. Such measures are taken that the danger is, I hope, over; and about one o'clock this morning four of the conspirators (amongst whom is a ringleader) were apprehended about three miles from town. I have ordered two companies of Van Schaick's immediately to march from Fort George to this place.

I am, dear sir, most truly, your Excellency's obedient humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER

To His Excellency General Washington.

GENERAL SCHUYLEB TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Albany, July 14, 1776.

DEAR SIR: The bearer, Captain Marquisie, a French gentleman, sent by Congress as an Engineer to the Northern Department, is on his return to Philadelphia, and has entreated me to introduce him to your Excellency. I do not know what his abilities are as an engineer; he appears to be a modest and discreet man.

I am, your Excellency's most obedient, humble servant,

PHILIP SCHUYLER.

To His Excellency General Washington.